Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, has urged his fiercest competitors in the forthcoming 2027 General Election, to canvas for votes responsibly and avoid ‘smear campaigns’.

Governor Nassir said politicians seeking elective seats, should engage the electorate and convince them to vote in their favour without resorting to character assassination.

In the recent past a bitter exchange between local politicians has ignited intense public debate across Mombasa highlighting the increasingly toxic political climate as the country prepares for the upcoming electoral cycle.

A series of bitter exchanges between political figures, especially those who expressed interest in running for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat has recently set tongues wagging across the coastal city highlighting the brewing rivalries, shifting alliances, and heightened political friction.

Nassir said all the political aspirants in Mombasa from MCA, MPs, Senator, Women Rep and Governor, should avoid smear campaigns and refrain from instigating political violence.

“The only means to convince the citizenry to vote for you is through vigorous issue-based campaigns which must be done without injuring the reputation of others,” he said.

The race for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat has attracted five politicians who have launched early grassroot campaigns to unseat the incumbent in the August 10, 2027 General Election.

It’s shaping to be a fiercely competitive field of influential contenders mobilizing to challenge the incumbent governor.

The race is shaping-up amidst wider national discussions, zoning strategies, and political cooperation talks between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) parties ahead of the forthcoming national polls.

The key issues shaping the 2027 elections in Mombasa County revolve around shifting demographics, intense gubernatorial competition, and economic development debates.

The governorship race in the coastal county is shaping up as a five-horse contest involving the incumbent, businessman Suleiman Shahbal, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar, Nyali MP Mohamed Ali and former Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo.

Hassan Omar and Suleiman Shahbal are both members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), which gives them added political visibility.

The coastal county boss who is also the Deputy Party Leader of ODM acknowledged his competitors right to demand accountability over the affairs of the devolved unit, but criticized their approach which he termed as ‘contradictory and baseless’.

“I continue to urge my competitors to present a tangible agenda to the people of Mombasa and avoid sowing divisions whose consequences may outlive the current political contest,” he said.

Speaking in Likoni Sub-county Nassir said there exists a crucial difference between demanding genuine accountability in the public interest and a deliberate smear campaign which he said is what his competitors appear to be engaged in.

“Leadership is about a sacred trust that demands responsibility for our words, our actions and the society we leave to our children. Let us compete on ideas and our ability to improve lives,” he said.

Suleiman Shahbal says he has no time for side shows and is busy meeting with a cross section of the society to share his vision for transforming Mombasa County through a united effort.

“I believe that the future of Mombasa depends on our ability to work together towards a common goal,” he said.

Shahbal who is riding on the back of ‘change must come’ contends that the citizenry should rise above political differences and that those seeking elective seats should regard public office as a sacred responsibility to serve the people.

He said together, we must champion a Political Revolution, an Economic Revolution, and a Social Revolution that will create opportunities, empower our people, and improve the lives of every Mombasa resident.

“Our differences should never stand in the way of our shared responsibility to build a better Mombasa. Through unity, teamwork, and a shared vision, we can achieve the transformation our people deserve,” he said.

Shahbal has reaffirmed his intention to run for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, vowing to press on with his campaign despite public advice from President William Ruto to stay out of politics and focus on business.

The businessman turned politician recently announced that he is leaving the ODM party and preparing a new political vehicle or running as an independent candidate for the upcoming Mombasa gubernatorial race.

He aims to unseat Governor Nassir of ODM whom he previously supported when stepping aside from the August 2022 gubernatorial race.

On his part Hassan Omar says he would not be distracted by sideshows and that he is focused on selling the two-term movement for President William Ruto.

“We remain committed to grassroots engagement, unity, and a stronger voice for the coastal region at the national stage,” he said.

Omar, a former senator of Mombasa said the ruling UDA party will contest for governorship in Mombasa in spite of the good working relationship between UDA and ODM parties.

“Our political slogan in Mombasa remains one term for the current governor and two-term for president Wiliam Ruto,” he asserted.

The UDA SG reaffirmed the party’s commitment to nominations that are free, fair, credible, and transparent ahead of the high-stake 2027 general election.

He has openly targeted the incumbent governor asserting that the coastal county requires a change in leadership.

All the politicians angling to dislodge Nassir are widely known in Mombasa political circles and have extensive political backgrounds.

The five contenders are positioning themselves to contest the governorship seat in the 2027 general election and the development marks a notable pattern in the lead-up to the polls, with elected legislators keen on trading their legislative mandates for a shot at executive power at the county level.

They all contend they have what they describe as a roadmap for prosperity, innovation and inclusive growth aimed at propelling Mombasa to prosperity.

What makes the current electoral cycle distinctive is the high concentration of former and current legislators among Mombasa governorship hopefuls.

By Hussein Abdullahi